USET Foundation Congratulates 2009 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session Participants at Luncheon

  - The USET Foundation hosted a luncheon on Friday, January 9, 2009, for the participants of the 2009 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session, presented by Bates Saddles. The luncheon honored and congratulated the eight riders, their parents, and the training session clinicians. The USET Foundation was a supporting sponsor of the training session.

The eight riders who participated in this year's training session were: Jessica Springsteen, Chelsea Moss, Victoria Birdsall, Jacqueline Lubrano, Carolyn Curcio, Sophie Benjamin, Taylor Land, and Matthew Metell.

The riders had the unique opportunity to train with 2008 Olympic show jumping gold medalists Beezie Madden, Anne Kursinski, Laura Kraut and McLain Ward and with dressage Olympian Robert Dover. They also received expert instruction on veterinary care, USEF drugs and medication rules, stable management, hoof care, and the equine digestive system from Dr. Tim Ober, Dr. Katie Young, Dr. Stephen Schumacher, Dr. Emily Weiss, Dr. Pamela Corey, Dr. Nancy Buonpane, Dr. Kathleen Young, Ray Cable, and Laurie Pitts.

The luncheon was held on the final day of the training session.

USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins said, "The USET Foundation is proud to help support this program and recognizes the importance of providing talented young riders with the opportunities to train with our country's Olympic athletes and coaches."

She went on to say, "Our role at the USET Foundation is to raise the funds for these programs as well as all of the country's high performance programs. We are fortunate to receive the support of individuals who want to see our U.S. teams succeed now and in the years to come. Without this support, we would not be able to provide the opportunities that produce gold medal teams and Olympians like the trainers that participated this week. I would like to thank John Madden for organizing this wonderful training session. The USET Foundation wishes all of the riders continued success, and we hope to see them on a U.S. team in the future."

Ms. Jenkins then presented each rider with a small gift for them to remember their wonderful experience.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.